1966 UU-BRU Radio Gold Archives

A native of Pittsburgh, Lou Christie created controversy with some suggestive lyrics, but landed at number one with "Lightning Strikes". Born in Glen Willard, Pennsylvania, Lou Christie began his career with with The Classics. His first appearance in the national Top 10 was "Two Faces Have I" in 1963. With Twyla Herbert, he co-wrote several hit singles, including "Rhapsody In The Rain" which contained the line "we were making out in the rain", which proved to be a little too suggestive for some radio stations. Their most successful collaboration, "Lightning Strikes" stormed onto the charts at the end of 1965 and ranks as the #1 single of 1966. The top male and female acts of the year were both Sinatras. Frank Sinatra continued to produce hit singles as "Strangers In The Night" finished the year at #10. His daughter, Nancy, fared slightly better as "These Boots Were Made For Walking" ranked at #3. After two years of dominating the charts, The Beatles only placed one single in the year end Top 10, "We Can Work It Out" at #7. They were still top act overall on UU-BRU Radio Gold Archives for a third consecutive year, becoming the first act to do so. Elvis Presley held the honor in 1956 and 1957. The Mamas and The Paps hailed from Los Angeles and scored their very first hit with the appropriately titled "California Dreaming".